When we get to the sorority house, I’m the first to say I’m glad we didn’t drive here. It is the most crowded of any party this year and everyone seems to be in costume. The three of us get down and start walking toward the house.
“Val said to meet her on the side of the house by the kegs,” Leyla says.
Val is one of the sorority girls and Leyla’s current potential girlfriend. She calls her wifey during FaceTimes and Val seems like she loves it, so I don’t think this is one of Leyla’s “I thought I liked her, but just kidding” girls. Ashley and I look around as Leyla leads the way. Some of the costumes are definitely cool, much cooler than our store-bought costumes, but we barely have time to think, let alone make something out of scratch (which, let’s be honest, we don’t know how to do anyway).
“Oh, look, there’s Brian, I think,” Ashley says, pointing in the direction of a guy dressed like a Ghostbuster. “Oh, and Colson and Maverick!”
The fourth Ghostbuster is another guy from their hockey team and all of them look hot as fuck. The unbuttoned jumpsuit is something I totally would have made fun of Mav for if it weren’t for that. His perfect abs on display aren’t something to sneeze at though.
“Who would’ve thought those costumes could be hot?” Ash asks. “We should’ve done that.”
“I think we’re pretty naked and we look amazing.”
“Rocky,” Maverick calls out, followed by the other three shouting, “Rocky, Rocky, Rocky, Rocky.”
“Oh my God.” I cover my face with a groan, but can’t help my laugh. “They’re so embarrassing.”
“Rockyyyyyy,” Maverick shouts.
“Hold on!” I shoot him a look, but keep smiling as I jog over there.
Thank God I opted to wear low heel boots and not the stripper heels that Leyla was trying to sell me on, which looked great, but I would have definitely face-planted wearing them.
“Where have you been all day?” Maverick throws his arms around me and pulls me close.
“I had a game, remember?” I pull away and tilt my head to look at him.
“You look beautiful.”
My stomach flutters.
“Awww,” the guys around us say. I feel my skin grow hot.
“You do,” Mav says. “You look fucking beautiful, my little pirate.”
“My?” Colson says. “When did this happen?”
Maverick shoots him a look.
“What? I’m just asking for a friend.” Colson shrugs a shoulder.
“Several friends, actually,” Brian chimes in.
“Dad, you’re embarrassing me.” I slap a hand over my forehead and shimmy out of Maverick’s hold.
“I have never been into that kink, but you can call me daddy whenever you want.” His gaze heats as he takes me in. “And wearing that? Fuck yes.”
“Oh my God.” My jaw drops. “Maverick.”
“What?”
“Are you drunk?”
“He’s drunk,” Colson says. “Sorry. He’s a lightweight and he just took five shots back-to-back.”
“Jesus,” I breathe. “I mean, I guess it’s good that he can blame this display on that?”
“No, babe, he always feels this way, he’s just finally letting his feelings out,” Colson says with a wink.
“I hate you.”
“Keke,” Maverick says. “Do you love me? Are you riding?”
“Oh my God.” I start to laugh, then grab his hand and pull him away from the group. “I’ll bring him right back, guys.”
“She’s going to do dirty things to me,” Maverick calls out over his shoulder. “I hope.”
“What has gotten into you?” I ask, letting go of his hand when we’re far enough away from everyone.
“Nothing.” He frowns. “Why?”
“You’re being weird. Saying all these weird things in public.”
“You want to keep me your dirty little secret? Because I will be.” He reaches for me.
“No.” I yank my hand away. “Can you focus for one second or not?”
“Yes.” He takes a deep breath and lets it out. “Okay, I’m ready. Are you going to tell me why you’ve been avoiding me all day?”
“That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“Okay. I’m ready. For real this time.” He grins.
“I have a boyfriend.”
His smile drops, mood morphing from silly to crestfallen in a split second. “What?”
“I’m just kidding.” I punch him on the chest playfully. “But now I know that you don’t approve of that news.”
“That’s not funny, Rocky.” He frowns. “At all.”
“I was just kidding, dude. Chill.” I roll my eyes. “Can I tell you the real news now?”
“Yeah, I guess, but you just absolutely killed the buzz I had going.”
“Aw, sorry.” I smile wide, but deep down, I am shaking because Maverick does care if I get a boyfriend. That’s good to know.
“What’s the news?”
“The NWSL invited me to try out for them,” I say and can’t help my squeal at the end of it.
“What?” he shouts, bringing his hands to his head. “What? I knew it, baby. I fucking knew it!”
“It’s just a try-out.” I jump up and down, smiling, laughing, and add, “But still!”
“They’re going to sign you day one.” Maverick is still shouting as he wraps his arms around me and lifts me off my feet, spinning me around. When he stops spinning, he buries his face on the side of my neck and murmurs, “This is your dream, baby.”